Golf Alignment Training Tool

ABSTRACT

A golf alignment training tool for indicating a target line. The golf alignment training tool is positional on and securable to the ground to indicate a proper golf stance alignment and a proper target line for hitting a golf ball. At least one retractable cord is attached to a recoil assembly encapsulated within a housing that is securable to the ground with a golf tee. The retractable cord extends out of the housing and a distal end of the cord is attached to a ring that is similarly securable to the ground with a golf tee to create a target line. When no longer needed, the cord is retracted back into the housing with the housing and ring abutting for compact storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/180,171, which was filed on Apr. 27, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a golf training tool, and more specifically to a golf training aid for improving body alignment and swing path. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Achieving a proper golf swing consistently is extremely difficult. A wide variety of training aids, techniques, and instruction have been created specifically for this problem. Alignment training aids, such as directional sticks take up a lot of space and can be difficult or inconvenient to transport. Golfers can drift causing an incorrect ball strike. Not remaining grounded in setup often leads to misdirected hits and improper swing technique.

Proper alignment is considered one of the most important parts of the set up. The best grip, posture, and ball position will not matter if the golfer has improper set up alignment. Improper swing alignment leads to significant errors in ball flight path. If the club face is open or closed even one degree at impact, the miss can easily be 10-15 yards off of the intended target. This multiplies even more if the swing path is also misaligned. Alignment is the one golf fundamental that tends to waiver over time and requires continual practice.

Proper set-up alignment requires the golfer's body to be aligned substantially parallel of the ball to target line. The golfer often stands a few feet directly behind the ball and traces an imaginary line between the ball and the target. During the stance, the club-face addresses the ball along that line. The golfer then needs to stand parallel to the ball target line. This is difficult to achieve without training aids and a lot of practice. Then the feet are set in position square to that line and a swing is completed. Golfers often use alignment sticks, tees, points on the ground, or even golf clubs to help visualize the proper alignment.

Proper swing-alignment is another common problem for golfers. The backswing significantly affects the ball flight path. If the backswing is out of alignment, the ball strike will not be square. There are many components to a backswing, but proper alignment begins with the takeaway. A good backswing positions the club in a good position to hit the ball straight and improves clubhead speed through impact. To hit a straight shot, the club should draw backward away from the ball parallel to the ball target line. Not drawing straight backward initially can lead to an inside out or outside in swing creating slices, hooks, or other unintended shots.

Accordingly, there is a great need for a tool usable by golfers to improve their alignments. There is also a need for a golf training tool to teach proper body alignment. Similarly, there is need for a golf training tool to teach proper swing alignment. There is also is a need for golf training aid that is small, compact, and easily portable. Further, there is a need for a golf alignment tool configured to illustrate a proper backswing takeaway.

In this manner, the improved commemorative system of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, thereby providing an easy solution for improving a golfer's alignment. The present invention is compact and easily carried in a golf bag. A primary feature of the present invention is a golf training aid configured to teach proper body setup. Finally, the improved golf alignment training tool of the present invention is also capable of training a golfer to have proper swing alignment.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a golf alignment training tool. The golf alignment training tool is configured to illustrate a proper alignment for a golf stance and a proper golf swing target line. The golf alignment training tool comprises a cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing comprises a top, a bottom, and a vertical opening penetrating the top and bottom. The vertical opening is sized to accept a golf tee to secure the cylindrical housing to the ground. The cylindrical housing further comprises a sidewall and a sidewall opening. The cylindrical housing may further comprise a second sidewall opening. The sidewall opening and the second sidewall opening are approximately perpendicularly oriented to the vertical opening.

The golf alignment training tool further comprises a recoil assembly and a target line indicator. The recoil assembly is encapsulated by and is positional within an interior of the housing. The recoil assembly comprises a tensioning element and a reel. The tensioning element may be a tensioning spring. The target line indicator may be a cord or string secured at one end to the tensioning element. The target line indicator retractably engages the tensioning element and wraps around the reel when retracted. A distal end of the target line indicator extends through the sidewall opening. The target line indicator may further comprise a plurality of length indicators.

The golf alignment training tool may further comprise a second target line indicator. The second target line indicator may similarly be a cord or string secured at one end to the tensioning element. The second target line indicator retractably engages the tensioning element and wraps around the reel when retracted. A distal end of the second target line indicator extends through the second sidewall opening. The second target line indicator may further comprise a plurality of length indicators.

The golf alignment training tool further comprises a distal securing element. The distal securing element is attachable to the distal end of the target line indicator. The distal securing element comprises a vertical opening. The vertical opening is similarly shaped as the vertical opening of the housing and is also configured to accept a golf tee to secure the distal securing element to the ground.

The golf alignment training tool may further comprise a second distal securing element. The second distal securing element is attachable to the distal end of the second target line indicator. The second distal securing element comprises a vertical opening. The vertical opening is similarly shaped as the vertical opening of the housing and is also configured to accept a golf tee to secure the second distal securing element to the ground.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a golf alignment training tool of the present invention in an extended position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention in a retracted position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention in the extended position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a housing of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention held in place with a golf tee in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention in the extended position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of one potential embodiment of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of one potential embodiment of a reel assembly of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of one potential embodiment of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 9 illustrates an overhead view of one potential embodiment of the golf alignment training tool of the present invention in the extended position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a retractable alignment guide for use by golfers to align their practice golf swings. The training aid offers golfers a visual aid on how to align their body and the club. The invention eliminates the need to carry bulky alignment training rods. The training aid retracts back compactly after use and fits in a golf bag storage compartment for easy access and storage.

The training aid comprises a housing and a cord. The housing may be cylindrical, or doughnut shaped. The cord can be pulled out of the housing when needed and retracted back when not needed. The housing has a hole in the center transecting the housing for placement of a golf tee. A smaller ring is attached to an end of the cord. The user places the housing on a tee or a tee through the housing and then pulls the cord and secures the smaller ring with another tee. The cord may be an approximately 48 inch colorful cord or string.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a golf alignment training tool 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the golf alignment training tool 100 is configured to illustrate a proper alignment for a golf stance and a proper golf swing target line. The golf alignment training tool 100 moves between a collapsed non-use position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and an extended use position as illustrated in FIG. 3. The golf alignment training tool 100 comprises a cylindrical housing 110. The cylindrical housing 110 is constructed from metal or plastic and is relatively small and lightweight for easy use and convenient storage.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cylindrical housing 110 comprises a top 112, a bottom 114, and a central vertical opening 116. The central vertical opening 116 is a through hole penetrating the top 112 and the bottom 114 of the cylindrical housing 110. The central vertical opening 116 is sized and configured to accept a golf tee 10 to secure the cylindrical housing 110 to the ground while teeing up a golf ball 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The cylindrical housing 110 further comprises an annular sidewall 118. A sidewall opening 120 penetrates the annular sidewall 118. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a second sidewall opening 122 may similarly penetrate the annular sidewall 118. The sidewall opening 120 and the second sidewall opening 122 are generally approximately perpendicularly oriented to the vertical opening 116 in the cylindrical housing 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the golf alignment training tool 100 further comprises a recoil assembly 130 and a target line indicator 140. The recoil assembly 130 is encapsulated by and is positional within an interior of the cylindrical housing 110 to protect against wear or damage to the mechanism or components. The recoil assembly 130 comprises a tensioning element 132 and a reel 134. The tensioning element 132 may be a tensioning spring, a ratcheting component, a spring component, a tension bar, a braking bar, an automatic winder, a ratchet twist mechanism, or any other commonly used retraction mechanism.

The target line indicator 140 may be a retractable plastic, nylon, synthetic, or natural fiber cord or string secured at one end 142 to the tensioning element 132. The target line indicator 140 wraps or winds around the reel 134 when retracted. A distal end 144 of the target line indicator 140 extends through the sidewall opening 120. The target line indicator 140 retractably engages the tensioning element 132 of the recoil assembly 130. As the target line indicator 140 is pulled and extended out of the housing 110, the recoil assembly 130 tensions the target line indicator 140 through the unwinding. The tensioning element 132 engages the target line indicator 140 at all points through the unwinding removing slack from the system. To retract the target line indicator 140, the user simply releases the distal end 144 and the target line indicator 140 winds back on the reel 134. The target line indicator 140 may also be used to connect from the ground to a belt buckle area on the golfer to evaluate/maintain hip and spinal alignment in the back swing and swing.

The target line indicator 140 may further comprise a plurality of length indicators 146. The plurality of length indicators 146 may be colored, numeric, or other visual markings to indicate specific intervals of length or positions allowing the user to visualize distances or angles. The target line indicator 140 typically extends approximately between 24 and 48 inches in length when fully deployed but may be longer or shorter as desired.

Returning to FIG. 9, the golf alignment training tool 100 may further comprise a second target line indicator 160. The second target line indicator 160 may similarly be a cord or string of similar length to the first target line indicator 140 and is secured at one end to the tensioning element 132 or recoil assembly 130. The second target line indicator 160 also retractably engages the tensioning element 132 and wraps around the reel 134 when retracted. A distal end of the second target line indicator 160 extends through the second sidewall opening 122. The second target line indicator 160 may further comprise a plurality of length indicators (similar to 146).

The golf alignment training tool 100 further comprises a distal securing element 150. The distal securing element 150 is attachable to the distal end 144 of the target line indicator 140. The distal securing element 150 may be a ring similar in shape to, but smaller than the cylindrical housing 110. The distal securing element 150 comprises a vertical opening 152. The vertical opening 152 is similarly shaped as the vertical opening 116 of the cylindrical housing 110. The vertical opening 152 is also configured to accept a golf tee 10 to secure the distal securing element 150 to the ground. Once the target line indicator 140 is extended to a desired length, the distal securing element 150 is held in place with the tee 10 to illustrate proper alignment.

The golf alignment training tool 100 may further comprise a second distal securing element 170. The second distal securing element 170 is attachable to the distal end of the second target line indicator 160. The second distal securing element 170 comprises a vertical opening 172. The vertical opening 172 is similarly shaped as the vertical opening 152 of the first distal securing element 150. The vertical opening 172 is also configured to accept a golf tee 10 to secure the second distal securing element 170 to the ground. Once the second target line indicator 160 is extended to a desired length, the second distal securing element 170 is also held in place with the tee 10.

The second target line indicator 160 can allow the user to create angles to indicate different alignments or swing paths. This is advantageous in training for shaped shots, such as a fade or a draw. The second target line indicator 160 may even be used to indicate a 90 degree angle where the first and second target line indicators 140 and 160 are perpendicular to better illustrate body alignment.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the golf alignment training tool 100 can be any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the golf alignment training tool 100 and its various components, as show in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the golf alignment training tool 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the golf alignment training tool 100 and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the golf alignment training tool 100 and its various components may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference. As such, the golf alignment training tool 100 may be comprised of sizing/shaping that is appropriate and specific in regard to whatever the golf alignment training tool 100 is designed to be applied.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf alignment training tool comprising: a cylindrical housing comprising a vertical opening, a sidewall, and a sidewall opening; a recoil assembly comprising a tensioning element and a reel positional within the housing; a target line indicator retractably engaging the recoil assembly and extendable through the sidewall opening, and a distal securing element attachable to a distal end of the target line indicator.
 2. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the vertical opening is configured to accept a golf tee to secure the cylindrical housing to the ground.
 3. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall opening is perpendicular to the vertical opening.
 4. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the target line indicator is secured to and retractably engages the tensioning element.
 5. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the target line indicator is a retractable cord.
 6. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the target line indicator comprises a plurality of length indicators.
 7. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the target line indicator extends between 24 and 48 inches in length when fully deployed.
 8. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the target line indicator wraps around the reel when retracted.
 9. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the distal securing element is a ring.
 10. The golf alignment training tool of claim 1, wherein the distal securing element comprises a vertical opening.
 11. A golf alignment training tool comprising: a cylindrical housing securable to the ground with a golf tee, the cylindrical housing comprising a central vertical opening, a sidewall, and a sidewall opening perpendicular to the central vertical opening; a recoil assembly comprising a tensioning spring and a reel positional within the housing; a target line indicator retractably engaging the tensioning spring and extendable through the sidewall opening, and a distal securing ring attachable to a distal end of the target line indicator.
 12. The golf alignment training tool of claim 11, wherein the target line indicator is a retractable cord.
 13. The golf alignment training tool of claim 11, wherein the target line indicator comprises a plurality of length indicators.
 14. The golf alignment training tool of claim 11, wherein the target line indicator wraps around the reel when retracted.
 15. The golf alignment training tool of claim 11, wherein the distal securing ring comprises a vertical opening.
 16. The golf alignment training tool of claim 15, wherein the vertical opening of the distal securing ring is configured to accept a golf tee to secure the distal securing ring to the ground.
 17. A golf alignment training tool comprising: a cylindrical housing comprising a central vertical opening, a sidewall, a first sidewall opening, and a second sidewall opening; a recoil assembly comprising a tensioning element and a reel positional within the housing; a first target line indicator retractably engaging the tensioning element and extendable through the first sidewall opening, a first distal securing element attachable to a distal end of the first target line indicator; a second target line indicator retractably engaging the tensioning element and extendable through the second sidewall opening, and a second distal securing element attachable to a distal end of the second target line indicator.
 18. The golf alignment training tool of claim 17, wherein the first and second target line indicators are retractable cords.
 19. The golf alignment training tool of claim 17, wherein the first and second target line indicators each comprise a plurality of length indicators.
 20. The golf alignment training tool of claim 17, wherein the first and second distal securing elements each comprise a vertical opening configured to accept a golf tee. 